Blanche Gordon Narodick

Blanche Gordon NARODICK Blanche Narodick passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 2, 2008 at the age of 98. She was born in Seattle on October 16, 1909, the only child of Alexander and Anna Gordon. Blanche married the love of her life, Dr. Philip Narodick, in 1937 and they enjoyed 54 years of marital bliss before he passed away in 1990. They loved boating, fishing and beachcombing at their second home in La Conner. She was famous for her homemade lox prepared from the salmon Phil caught. She adored her only son, Kit, and welcomed her daughter-in-law, Sally, as her own. She loved her grandson Philip Narodick, granddaughter Lisa Colton, and Lisa's husband Jason. She was thrilled and amazed that she lived to meet her two great-grandchildren, Eli and Meira Colton, and her eyes sparkled whenever they came to visit. In her 80's, Blanche wrote many stories of her life (first on her typewriter, and then on her iMac) in a detailed family history titled "Continuity". Her hallway was a collage of generations of family photos, exemplifying how family was of the utmost importance to her. Blanche graduated magna cum laude and phi beta kappa from the University of Washington School of Journalism in 1930 and was one of the few women of her era to earn a masters degree, graduating from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She enjoyed lifelong personal and professional friendships with colleagues in her professional association, Women In Communications (formerly called Theta Sigma Phi). She was a lifelong learner, taking courses at UW and reading avidly well into her 90's. She had a very active volunteer life, offering her PR skills for many Jewish organizations in Seattle, and devoting decades of her life to her most passionate volunteer commitment, the Red Cross, including serving on the International Committee. She and Philip traveled extensively, including many trips to China, beginning in the 1960's. They were responsible for setting up a sister city relationship with the Red Cross in China. In 1989, she was honored with the Harriman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service, the Red Cross's highest award for volunteers. Blanche was a woman of character -- passionate, generous, smart, witty, supportive and loving. She had friends from multiple generations, and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. The family thanks Dr. Scott Pollack, and the staff and caregivers at the Kline Galland facilities and the Jewish Family Service, all of whom so thoughtfully cared for her in her last years. A Memorial Service will be held at Butterworth-Arthur Wright Chapel, Tuesday March 4 at 3:00 p.m., followed by a gathering to Celebrate her Life at the Washington Athletic Club at about 5:00 p.m. The family suggests remembrances to Kline Galland Center, the Red Cross or a charity of your choice.